WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has told Congress it plans to sell nearly $6 billion in weapons to Israel, a fresh surge of support for the U.S. ally as it faces increasing isolation over its war in Gaza .

The backlash against Israel over the humanitarian toll of the war in Gaza has spread into the arenas of sports and culture.

Israel shut the sole gateway between the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Jordan on Friday, a day after a driver bringing humanitarian aid from Jordan for Gaza opened fire and killed two Israeli military personnel there.

The attack was the deadliest against journalists since the Maguindanao massacre in the Philippines 16 years ago and the second-deadliest the New York-based press freedom group has ever recorded.

The Trump administration is seeking congressional approval to sell Israel $6.4 billion in support equipment and weapons including attack helicopters and troop carriers, people familiar with the matter said on Friday.

Iran says it executed a man accused of spying for Israel, but activists dispute the claim, saying he was tortured into a false confession

Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz was highly critical of a new U.N. report accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, warning that those involved could face sanctions.

Five countries, including one that provides significant financial contributions to Eurovision, threatened to boycott the contest.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Western Wall in Israel to pray for the Israeli hostages.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Friday urged Saudi Arabia to turn "a new page" with the Iran-backed group and set aside past disputes to create a unified front against Israel, following years of hostility that strained Riyadh's ties with Lebanon.